Tapitty Tapitty Tapitty - On Screen Computing

I've been pondering looking into the role computers play in TV and movies, simply because it's quite so hilariously silly. From Bones' 3D hologram-o-machine (best I can find thanks to the joy of Fox) that can instantly conjure any murderous scenario the cast think of, to those peculiar PCs all film stars use that require only rapid keyboard inputs despite their clearly cursor-orientated design. I also find myself peculiarly interested in collecting together the names of all the Google alternatives films and television use. My favourite has to be the ludicrously clumsy "Finder-Spyder" that crops up all over the place, notably Heroes, Hung and Prison Break. Although Dexter's "NetScope" is impressively wrong too. I mention all this after being pointed toward this fabulous site from the man who is responsible for so many of the more impressive interfaces you see in films, Mark Coleran.

For instance, I remember enjoying Tomb Raider's Star Trek meets Winamp design rather a lot. That was him.

There's Mission Impossible 3:

Or how about The Bourne Ultimatum?

So he's the good guy, and I recommend looking through the graphics he's responsible for.

But what are your favourite and least favourite movie and TV representations of PCs? Not the full-on Minority Report swishy magic computers (I realise I cheated with the Bones reference above, but it's the most gloriously silly computer in all of TV), but the ones where people sit furiously tapping away as the screen somehow animates a face. Oh, and any other made up search engines you've spotted, too. Together we'll compile something amazing.

Thanks to Martin for the link.